Landmark case challenges police use of facial recognition tech

A case has begun in Wales which challenges the use of facial recognition technology, claiming an infringement of the right to privacy.

Civil rights organization Liberty is supporting Ed Bridges’ case which is being heard in the High Court in Cardiff. Mr Bridges says police captured his image while he was shopping in the city through the use of automated technology inside a police van parked in the street.

The BBC reports that South Wales Police have defended the use of automated facial recognition surveillance.

Liberty lawyer Megan Goulding likened its use to taking DNA or fingerprints without consent. Liberty says the tool breaches human rights.

Offshore firm has expanded its HK team
Offshore specialist firm Harneys has hired two partners for its Hong Kong team.

Transactional partner Yin Xu has joined the firm from rival offshore firm Walkers after almost 8 years. He was previously a corporate partner at Freshfields in Hong Kong and London.

Advising on Cayman Islands and BVI law, he specialises in the formation of private equity and hedge funds and alternative investment.

Meanwhile, partner Charles Clayton-Payne has joined Harneys’ Hong Kong Banking and Finance team from Hogan Lovells in Singapore where he established a market leading banking and finance practice.

He is an international finance specialist with a wealth of experience across industry sectors and geographies in the Asia Pacific region.

Cooley advises biotech firm on $810m sale to pharma giant Pfizer
A team from Cooley has advised a biotech firm focused on rare diseases in its sale to one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical firms.

Therachon Holding has agreed to sell to Pfizer for U$810 million and has been advised by a team led by partners Ryan Sansom and Michal Berkner.

Under the terms of the deal, Pfizer will pay $340m upfront with the remainder dependent on targets for a specific treatment being developed by Therachon.